For a bit of fun, the Armchair sent this letter to the local weekly paper, the Tamworth Herald. The intention was basically to shout from the rooftops that 'punk exists!' Armchair was isolated, 16 years old, sitting in his bedroom, listening to punk records on John Peel, going to Barbarellas in Birmingham to see every punk band you can imagine. But there was no one else, as far as he knew, in Tamworth.
Full text of the letter, with Tamworth Herald typesetters' errors corrected is:
Punk rock in Tamworth
Dear Sir,
I would like to bring to the attention of the populous of Tamworth, the fact that within the town a new phase of teenage life is being built up. This new phase is commonly referred to as 'punk' rock.
Within the outlying areas of the town, namely, Amington, Glascote and Belgrave, I have come to notice several punks. There must be at least 50-100 in Tamworth.
This may surprise quite a few of your older readers who are totally devoid of any connection with teenage life.
Since this time last year 'punk' rock has spread throughout the country like wildfire and has now, I am exceedingly glad to say, reached the wonderful, serene, socialist town of Tamworth.
Being totally in favour of 'punk' rock, I hope that the kindly folk of Tamworth will not treat any 'punk' rockers with disdain and hatred. We are not all akin to the impression of a 'punk' built-up by the media. We are not degenerate forms of homo sapiens.
We are simply normal, lovable teenagers, who after many years of pointless education and inability to express our views, have now become able to reveal important facts. The majority of people, who, being totally ignorant of what horrors are surrounding them in this society should be helped to redeem their corrupted souls.
We have discovered the medium of music to express our views and this music, having so much unhindered energy and influence is the reason why 'punk' rock has become so successful.
I hope that you, the Editor, will not refuse to print this letter simply because it concerns an item that you may feel is vile, dangerous and of no interest to your readers.
I personally believe it to be important that your readers know of this new wave of excitement in their town.
"ED AKE"
(Name and address supplied)